Bunch-maker&#39;s table.



A. C. PLETZ.V

BUNCH NIAKERS TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED Avena. I9I5.

Patented Oct. 3,1916.

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A. C. PLETZ.

BUNCH NIAKERS TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.5. 1915.

Patented Oct, 3, 1916.`

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IINIIEE STATES PATIENT @BEIGE ARTHUR C. PLETZ, 0F CINCINNATI, OI-IIO, ASSIGNOR TO JOI-IN E. DAVIS, OF

CINCINNATI, 0HIO..

BUN CH-MAKERS TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

Application filed August 5, 1915. Serial No. 43,771.

My invention relates to the art of cigar manufacture and particularly to the means employed vin the initial cutting` of the leaf and bunching of the filling material. These are performed at a table provided with cutting mechanism operated by the cigarmaker to cut the binder-leaf to proper size, and thus begin the operation of bunching; and the cigar is then finished by wrappers as a final stage of the manufacture. These initial steps are important; and require not only skill and dexterity, but considerable outlay of physical strength and rapidity of action, especially in team-work where the bunch-maker is expected to supply two wrappers or finishers.

The ultimate object of my invention is to4 relieve the buncli-maker of the chief part of the physical labor involved and to render possible the closer concentration of attention upon the proper utilization, manipulation and bunching of the leaf, at the same time speeding the entire operation and improving the product.

To these ends my invention consists in the provision and employment in connection with a bunching table of an easily controllable motor-force to drive cutting devices, utilized in a simple, direct-acting motormechanism under instant control of the operator.

In the preferred form of my invention, the mechanism devised consists primarily of a motor-cylinder or cylinders of the reciprocating type, arranged and operating axially parallel with the face of the table, with cutting disks carried directly upon and operated by the piston rod or rods; and with a suitable valve for directing and controlling the travel of the pistons simultaneously, and with simplified means of operating the valve ,-the whole being so constructed, arranged and operated as to require practically no physical strength in controlling the operation of the mechanism and enabling the operator to do more and better work in a given time.

My invention is shown in preferred form employing duplicate interconnected cylinders, in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l (Sheet l), is a side elevation, in section, of a bunching table, showing one of the cylinders and connections, the covers in section, the exhaust chamber and the pedals. The tension springs of the cutters and the cutter guards are omitted. Fig. 2

(Sheet l), is a front end elevation of the cylinders, front cover in section, the cutter mechanism, with the table in section; and

.Fig 3 (Sheet 2), is a vplan view of the cylinders and cutting mechanism (enlarged) with a portion of the suction plate.

fIlie table to which my invention is applied, designated by reference letter A in the drawings, to which reference is now made, is of the conventional type, with back and side curbs A1 and A2, respectively, and

is supported upon and by a frame E. At

the forward edge at'the central portion of the table surface is a perforated plate B of convenient size set in fiush with the surface of the table and forming the upper wall ofa shallow exhaust chamber B1, connected below with an air exhaust tube B2 leading to a suitable exhaust apparatus (not shown) and provided withA the usual throttle valve, having an external crank b3 and operating rod b2 connecting with a foot pedal b1.

Mounted upon, and axially parallel withv the face of the table and with each other, are two cylinders C, C, connected across at the ends, respectively, by duplicated castings 0, c, forming the cylinder heads, which are held from end to end of the cylinders by the tie rods, r. Each of the castings, c, is cored to form a passage c1 direct from one cylinder to the other. Midway between the cylinders is a pipe c2 connecting the end castings and tapping the cross passages o1',- said pipe c2 being interrupted midway by a four-way cock I) operated by an external crank CZ, connected mediately with a footpedal, p2. The cock, D, is entered below by a pipe o3 connecting with a source of com-I pressed air (not shown), and opens at the opposite side at ot to the atmosphere.

rlhe cylinders carry ordinary piston heads (not shown) mounted on piston rods e, c, which extend forward through the usual stuffing boxes in the forward cylinder heads. Each piston rod carries at its forward end a fixed block el upon which is pivotally hung a yoke e2 carrying at its lower eXtremity a disk cutter shown in Figs. l and 2, but hidden beneath the usual safety guards g shown in Fig. 3. The yoke is carried with a forward inclination and with an adjustable spring s bearing against it midway to give a yielding pressure to the cutting disk f, pivotally mounted at the lower extremity of the yoke. The cutters are carried upon longitudinally adjustable pivot-studs to regulate the width of the cut leaf. I prefer to connect the blocks el across by a tie rod c3, which insures a synchronous action of the two pistons as against retarding caused by friction of parts, or otherwise, at one side of the system; but with properly constructed apparatus this is not a necessity.

The operation with respect to placing and Y smoothing out the leaf by hand on the perforated plate is the same as in any case where a perforated plate and suction are employed. When the leaf is ready placed to be cut, a touch of the foot on the pedal p2 operating he controlling valve D admits compressed air into the cylinders C at the rear simultaneously and drives the pistons and their disk cutters f forward over the perforated plate B against which they bear with sufficient pressure to cut through the leaf. A similar touch upon the same pedal in the opposite direction opens the rear of the cylinders to the exhaust and admits air pressure to the forward end and withdraws the cutters.

All things considered, I find better results in the way of quickness, smoothness and uniformity of action are to be had with duplicate cylinders, thereby lgiving each cutter its independent motor, rather than with a single cylinder operating a cross head or bar on which both cutters are mounted; and have therefore shown such duplicated structure herein as a preferred form; but it will be obvious that a single cylinder -may be used,

and such construction I regard as within the scope of my invention. Other deviations, such for example as the substitution for the piston rod of a reciprocating element driven directly by a rotary instead of reciprocating motor; or a slide valve in place of a rotary valve; ctc., may be made. An electromagnetic solenoid may also be used to operate the piston rod without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States:

l. An improved bunch-makers table,hav ing in combination a table surface; a reciprocating member; means for driving said member to and fro in a line parallel with the table surface; a yoke-member having one end pivotally carried by the free end of said reciprocating member, said member being inclined to the surface of the table; a rotating disk cutter, carried by the lower end of said yoke member in rolling contact with the table surface; and a spring acting with a yielding adjustable pressure upon the yoke member to maintain a cutting contact.

2. In a bunch makers table, the combination of a fluid motor embodying a pair of double acting cylinders arranged parallel with each other and with the surface of the table, and reciprocating piston rods; a frame pivotally mounted on the outer ends of said rods; disk cutters on the frame, said frame being mounted at an angle to the vertical; means for holding the cutters in yielding contact with the table surface; and an operating valve for said motor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR C. PLETZ.

IVitnesses A. L. TILDESLEY, I. C. ROTTINGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

